Gold Coast coach Rodney Eade has backed Lachie Henderson’s decision to tell Carlton he wants a trade, despite AFL chief Gillon McLachlan’s strong feelings on the matter.
Henderson’s move to tell the Blues he wants out at the end of the season and their subsequent decision to immediately cut ties with the key forward has proved a contentious issue.
McLachlan made his position on the matter clear when he delivered a stinging rebuke on Friday.
“I really don’t like him saying he wants to go somewhere else (with) three rounds to go,” McLachlan told 3AW.
“It’s unnecessary, it’s undisciplined and I’ve just got no idea why people feel the need to do it, I really don’t.”
Henderson, who has been linked to a move to Geelong, said that it hadn’t been an easy decision and defended his choice to tell the club of his intentions in an effort to maintain honest communications.
Eade went through a similar scenario while he was coaching the Western Bulldogs in 2010.
It was widely believed that Jarrod Harbrow was a recruiting target for Gold Coast, then building a squad for its first season.
Harbrow did end up switching clubs at the end of the 2010 season.
“I know there were other coaches saying ‘Get rid of him straight away’, but I took the other view that the player … is contracted to the end of the year,” Eade said.
“He’s a valued member and he’ll play his year out.
“If a player told me now, ‘Oh, I want a trade’, I’d still play him, especially if they’re showing the right attitude.
“They’re contracted for 2015 so why tip them out? That’s what they’re (Carlton) doing, that’s fine, I’ve got no issue.”
Henderson also has an ally in Sydney ruckman Mike Pyke, who took to Twitter to voice his support after Brisbane sensationally told former skipper Jed Adcock there was no place for him at the club next year.
“Learnt this week that club can tell player he’s not wanted but player can’t tell club,” Pyke tweeted.
“Can’t everyone be happy with (four) weeks notice.”
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